Just Accepted Merchandise Product Development Student Wants to be an Entrepreneur

Full Name: Brianna Myers

Age: 17

Hometown: Victorville

Year in School: Senior

FIDM Major: Merchandise Product Development

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Summer 2012

Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a bit of a quirky girl. I enjoy combining things that normally don’t belong together and trying to make them work. I have a “never say die” attitude mixed with a bit of a “que sera sera” attitude. I enjoy nature and technology too, even though they’re not my strong points. I enjoy the arts more than anything in the world and can’t imagine a happier life than one lived in the pursuit of dreams and fantasies.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am currently the editor-in-chief of my school’s yearbook. I have always viewed being on the staff as an honor and was so proud to be a part of something so much bigger than me that will have a lasting impact. I am proud that I was chosen to lead the newest generation of world changers.  

What made FIDM right for you? Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a designer, growing up watching classic musicals with my mother, and having a love of fashion instilled in me, I knew I had to seek out the best school to help me accomplish this goal. After hearing about FIDM, I knew it was the right place for me.

Describe your entrance project. The entrance project for Merchandise Product Development was a bit daunting. Having to combine a million different things together in one project seemed like an impossible task. However, after I got started, I had so much fun going out and doing all of the research and designing all of the spin off fashions, and realized I couldn’t wait to do that sort of thing for a living.  

What are your career goals? Upon graduating from FIDM, I hope to have a good head start in my career field. And someday, I hope to own my own company -- something I know FIDM can prepare me for.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I know I will learn everything I will need in order to make a successful career out of what previously was a childhood fantasy.

Visual Communications Student Wants to be a Creative Director

Full Name: Regan Lee Gillotte
 
Age: 16
 
Hometown: San Clemente, California
 
Year in School: Junior
 
FIDM Major: Visual Communications
 
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2013
 
Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman
 
Tell us a bit about youself. The community of San Clemente gives me new sources of inspiration everyday! I've always loved living by the beach. I am blessed to have an amazing group of friends who share my love for fun and support me in my artistic adventures. In my spare time I enjoy crafty projects like sewing, jewelry making, and painting.
 
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Getting accepted to FIDM as a junior definitely tops my accomplishments, however, I am also proud to have made a chandelier and some of my clothes!
 
What made FIDM right for you? The environment at FIDM seemed a perfect fit from my first visit. I have never seen a school so dedicated to helping its students succeed. FIDM is the only school I found with  the perfect educational tools to help me succeed in this industry.

Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was a series of three projects which displayed the latest trends of the season in a consistent yet interesting theme. I incorporated a little bit of myself by creating a  natural, "beachy" concept.
 
What are your career goals? My career goals are to eventually achieve the title of a Visual or Creative Director for a large corporation. I also wish to obtain a job that I have a genuine love for.
 
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect that FIDM will teach me not only basic education, but also give me the knowledge I need to succeed in this industry.
 

Just Accepted Merchandise Product Development Student Advocates on College Campuses

Lauren Bryeans

Age: 25

Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Major: Merchandise Product Development

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Spring 2012

Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers

Tell us a bit about yourself. After attending De Anza College in Northern California and playing soccer there, I tried a few things. I studied and lived in Paris, came back and worked at Nordstrom’s, and did some modeling. At Nordstrom’s, I was inspired by working with brand-named products in the Men’s Department.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I currently work for a non-profit called No Woman Left Behind campaign. Our focus is on bystander intervention and sexual assault awareness prevention. In March of 2007, me and my soccer teammates were attending a party when we witnessed what we believed was a sexual assault on a young woman. The three of us intervened and took the victim to a hospital. Since then, we have been sharing our story at colleges and universities across the country. I love this campaign with everything in me, and I believe in the message that it sends; whether it's a sister, a friend, or a complete stranger, step in and make a difference!

Who was your Admissions Advisor? Cathy Chambers

Why FIDM? While I love making a difference in the college communities I visit as a speaker with No Woman Left Behind, I now want to find something that lets me separate out those emotions. Also, I look forward to seeing the industry from the other side of the lens from my modeling career.

What are your career goals? I hope to become a technical designer.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? My major will give me an opportunity to learn both the technical and business sides of the industry. I expect to learn everything I need to help me achieve my goals at fashion merchandising college.

Just Accepted Merchandise Product Development Student is Launching a Clothing Line

Full Name: Jonathan Edward Teller

Age: 18

Year in School: Senior

Hometown: Newport Beach, CA

Major: Merchandise Product Development

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, July 2012

Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers

Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm an 18 year-old kid at heart out of Newport Beach, California. Throughout my life I've always been surrounded by business and the arts, both of which are passions of mine. All that I see I relate to either two of those focuses. Over the past few years I have found a common ground with the California surfing lifestyle capturing the art, music, and vibe of the atmosphere then on top of it seeing how brands like RVCA and LRG have translated it all into clothes has motivated me to take the paths I've chosen.

Otherwise I love doing a lot of things like traveling. I exploit every opportunity I get to see something new, meet people, and to gain inspiration. Also surfing and hockey are huge parts of who I am. I've learned a lot of lessons from both, such as always being hungry for improvement, picking yourself up when you fall down, and most importantly how to just have fun. I'd also say both serve as escapes from stress. It's amazing to me how at peace I am when I step into the water and paddle out or lace up the skates and shoot pucks -- easily the best medicines.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Over the past few months I've been starting a clothing line, REFL3CT, that should be launching some time early in 2012. The progress and vision that I've seen form into reality thus far has been pretty mind blowing so I'd say that it definitely is up there along with my athletic, leadership, art, and academic achievements.

What made FIDM right for you? I believe success is all about doing what you love and quite frankly I don't think any other school in the nation can provide the opportunity and experience that FIDM can. I will be stoked to go to school every day.

What are your career goals? To build a powerhouse brand within the surf industry.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to get the opportunity to learn all the different aspects of the clothing industry at fashion college. Furthermore, to gain an understanding of what makes it tick and what makes its gears spin. The way I see it, the real expectations are upon me to take advantage and seize whatever opportunities are given to me, and then put 110 percent into it.

Just Accepted Apparel Industry Management Student Wants to Own a Brand

Full Name: Josh David Lobb

Age: 18

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Year in School: Senior

FIDM Major: Apparel Industry Management

FIDM Campus and Start Date: FIDM Orange County/Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Seung Kim

Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm your average creativity loving, fashion admiring, musically enthusiastic 18 year-old really. Ever since I was young I've wanted to have my own clothing line to design and produce apparel that hundreds of different varieties of people would love to wear. Then as I grew older I learned, and am learning, more about the business end of things, and I think there's definitely no end to the possibilities available to us in life to make yourself successful.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I've been involved in Mission Viejo High School Drama for four years and have won several awards at various theatre festivals, helped design shirts and fundraise for the Passion For Creation club at my school, and having started the process of creating my clothing line Infinite Expression would be a few of my mentionable achievements. But thats not to say I don't plan on expanding this list soon.

What made FIDM right for you? Everything about FIDM made it right for me really. My Admissions Advisor Mrs. Kim was a huge help in convincing me that it was a perfect outlet for my passion, and being accepted just made it all the sweeter. I knew it was a place where my daydream-like thoughts and creative expression could be harnessed into something that would be there to help me through the rest of my life.

Describe your entrance project. I was supposed to create a fictitious apparel company and talk about what the products would look like, who it would be targeted towards, and some general profit margins, but to me the project was about much more. I based my project upon the brand that I've wanted to begin since my childhood, Infinite Expression. To my satisfaction, describing my entrance project in my admissions interview went smoothly because I knew exactly what I was talking about. For me it wasn't just a project, it was a dream.

What are your career goals?  I hope to eventually own a brand that not only sets trends in the society of today, but also lasts with the times as some brands don't, and set trends for the future. When the world knows my vision, I would consider myself satisfied. If they accept it lovingly, however, is another topic.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to be given the tools that I'll need in the future to become successful, to be assisted by some of the best minds in the industry, and to hopefully meet lifelong contacts who love the same thing as me, expression.

On Twitter @Joshlobbeezy

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student Wants to be a Fashion Stylist

Full Name: Haley Elizabeth Castro

Age: 17

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

Year in School: Senior

FIDM Major: Visual Communications

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County; Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope

Tell us a bit about yourself. I have been interested in FIDM since I was a freshman in high school, and I couldn't be happier that my dream is finally coming true. I am a hardworking, passionate, and determined young woman. I have had my eyes set on FIDM for years, and I would do anything possible to one day attend this school.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? My proudest accomplishments all relate to my love for being a leader. My first role as a leader was in the eighth grade, when I was elected as ASB Secretary, and a year later as President. This was a brand new experience or me, but I truly believe it is the reason I am who I am today. That same year, I was nominated by multiple teachers at my junior high, and was awarded the "Young Hero of Fullerton" award by he mayor of Fullerton.

Due to my community service and hard work in school, I was honored with this award that I will always be very proud of. To this day, I continue to practice my leadership skills. For two years, I have been presidents of Troy's Concert Choir, and the year before, I was Secretary. I love the feeling of being a leader, and all of the personal rewards that come a long with it.

What made FIDM right for you? FIDM is the right school for me because I truly feel that this is the best place for me to learn new experiences and create important relationships that will benefit my future.

Describe your entrance project. My first entrance project, which used only circles, triangles, and squares, is a replica of the FIDM campus in Los Angeles. There is a magnifying glass zooming in on the campus, and surrounding it is a whirlwind of the different shapes, in many colors, textures, and sizes. My theme for this work is "In a world of chaos, FIDM is where I find my peace."

My last two projects, including the window and interior display, were a but more simple, to even out the chaos of the first project. My window display was of a wedding boutique, mostly in black and white with very simple, elegant details. The interior design was of another high end boutique, in black and white, with pops of pink.

What are your career goals? My main career goal for my future is to be a fashion stylist. Working runway shows, photo-shoots, or even dressing celebrities is what I hope for!

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect Visual Communications College at FIDM to expand my way of thinking, to teach me new things every day, and prepare me for my future.

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student Has Traveled the World Helping People

Name: Brittney Porter

Age: 25

Hometown: Las Vegas

Major: Visual Communications Professional Designation

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County/Fall 2011

Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a recent BYU grad who recently moved to California after my recent wedding. I always knew I wanted to go into a design career, but opted to first finish my four year degree in Humanities (Media Arts emphasis) with a minor in Communications. I now feel that I am well prepared to enter the field of design head on and I could not be more excited!
 
I have a passion for traveling and non-profit work, I'm obsessed with color ('cause it just makes people happier), I love leopard print, don't ask me why. My family is the most important thing to me and I see them as often as I can, I love being 25 and would stay this age forever, I wear colored lipstick probably too much, and I think music and dancing are the two greatest things on earth.   
 
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? My non-profit experiences in and out of the country. They have absolutely shaped me as a person and constantly push me to be better. I was able to teach English to high school seniors in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, volunteer working with orphaned children in Zambia, Africa, be a program director for BYU Special Olympics, and serve a year and half mission in Albania, learning the Albanian language. (Oh, and I'm also super proud of marrying my smokin' hot husband).

What made FIDM right for you? Like many people, I feel most like myself when I am doing something I love and creative design is definitely something I love. Visual Communications College at FIDM offers me a very specialized education, and  is one of the only nationally accredited colleges that is able to do that. Having already earned a degree, FIDM acknowledges that accomplishment and offers a Professional Designation program which allows me to focus on specific course work instead of extra general studies. 

FIDM has over 19,000 employer contacts as well as provides hands-on experiences and an industry-directed curriculum. FIDM absolutely seems intent on helping its students start and establish a long lasting career.

Describe your entrance project. Projects is more like it! I completed three separate entrance projects that all described myself in one way or another. The first project, required using a circle, square, and triangle to arrange a creative design. Using cork board, card stock, pins, an X-Acto knife, markers, and geography, I cut out a world map, placed it over the cork board, and proceeded to explain visually, where I've been and where I want to travel in the world.

The second project was a window display where I created a couture wedding gown display complete with wire mannequins, accessories, and a black, red, and white color scheme. The third project was an interior display of a vintage boutique which primarily sold women's head wear and household knickknack decor. It was also three-dimensional as I wanted to show my shabby chic style and love of interior design. 

What are your career goals? I cannot wait to see where my FIDM education will take me! I have so many ideas of what I want to do; I'm hoping that as I continue learning, growing, and interning I'll be able to narrow down exactly what career path is right for me. Art director? Visual design director? Freelance stylist? Who knows, the sky's the limit! As for right now, I hope to  at least combine my two loves of design and philanthropic work and become a charity event coordinator.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? My goal is to soak up as much information as possible while learning how to sketch, floor plan, color scheme, trend forecast, graphic design, and visually present. I cannot wait!

Just Accepted Graphic Design Student Wants to Work for a Design Firm

Name: Crystal Chau

Age: 18

Major: Graphic Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County Campus, Fall 2011

Admissions Advisor: Rose Mendez

Tell us a little about yourself. I am an open-minded free spirit who is always looking for new inspiration. Overall, I am a person who is constantly involved the arts, whether it be graphic design, drawing, writing, photography, or dancing. I am passionate in anything I take part in and I put my heart and soul into each activity. 

Being a first-year high school graduate, I am quite new to the college life. Although I am not 100 percent sure of what to expect at FIDM, I am excited to find out what it's like to go to graphic design school, and eager to be a part of the friendly environment.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? A poem book that my grandpa helped me publish, including poems I wrote since I first started at age 12, and a novella I wrote for my senior English class which my grandpa also helped me publish. I never really took writing into consideration as one of my passions but over the years, I noticed how it came natural to me. 

Another accomplishment I am proud of would be my four years of commitment towards Polynesian dancing.  Any type of dancing is pretty much second nature to me, but somehow Polynesian dancing stuck with me and I won a couple of competitions over the years.

What made FIDM right for you? I see FIDM as a school that was made specifically for me. Being the artsy child that I was, I did not know how I was to approach my future because I did not know which school to go to. After I graduated high school at Oxford Academy, I had my mind set to attending Fullerton College for two years then transfer to Cal State Fullerton.

However, a week before school starts, my mom suggested FIDM to me and my eyes instantly lit up. I usually do not make hasty decisions unless I am sure of what I want and this school just stood out and called for me to take a visit. I instantly decided to pursue a graphic design degree from FIDM. 

Describe your entrance project. For my entrance project I had to create slogan and logo to be printed on a shopping bag, create a magazine advertisement, and create a cover for the store’s catalogue. I decided to create my own company called CRY$IS, which was a jewelry company with jewelry crafted from scrabble tiles. The slogan was “Prepare for the army of twenty-six,” as in the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, with an army/camouflage theme. 

I also included the target market for my company. For the shopping bag, I had each letter, “C,” “R,” “Y,” “S,” and “I” on different bags. For the magazine advertisement, I took a picture of the word “crysis” on a scrabble board with necklace chains surrounding it and gave it a mysterious theme.  For the magazine catalogue, I created a cover for each season of the year, featuring a different piece of jewelry along with different colors for the camouflage background. 

What are your career goals? In the near future, I would like to be working for a design firm or more specifically, creating corporate identities or working for a magazine or clothing company. I would definitely enjoy the opportunity to freelance on the side. I still want to continue dancing in Polynesian shows as a way of making extra income as well as way of releasing my stress and just having fun.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM?
 I expect to learn everything I need to know at FIDM that will help me succeed in life. With the necessary tools, skills, and experience from the instructors, I am certain that I will be guided down the right path.  I can’t wait!

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Wants to Launch a Line and Help People

Name: Mimi Holaday (Yes, that is my real name).

Age: I am 26 years old.

Hometown: New Orleans.

Major:  I am a Fashion Design Professional Designation major. I previously completed a BA in Fashion Merchandising.

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Starting out in Orange County, Fall of 2011.

Admissions Advisor: My amazing advisor Joleen Harris is the best!

Tell us a little about yourself. I'm a hippie, gypsy, vicarious magician with a knack dressing to a theme and making bizarre costumes.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Successfully beating the odds in my life pursuit to overcome adversity.

What made FIDM right for you? FIDM is a school that requires dedication and tests skill. It is a place that allows the elite to grow and master minds to mingle. It is a foundation for something bigger -- my career.

Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was a fairy tale theme. Focus was dresses for Spring 2012. A little bit of a Cinderella story, much the way I see my life. Very feminine fabrics such as chiffon, lace, and a light linen with soft neutral colors like beige/sand, ivory, mint green, and pale pink. One design featured a full princess shape sand colored linen skirt with flower burnout detail and ivory tulle beneath. Another more minimalistic design was a silk wrap dress.

What are your career goals? Furthering my education (i.e. design technique, international business), working as or with a creative team that drives the direction of fashion industry trends for a strong and reputable brand, and acting as an international consultant or agent connecting fashion design houses with retailers around the world.

I'd also like to launch my own successful line that reaches international  demand and work as a motivational figure, activist for women’s rights, suicide prevention, spiritual leader, life coach, and mentor.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? Design techniques mainly, but I also expect to learn about self-expressionism and how to channel creativity. I expect to learn about the very small yet very powerful international fashion design industry.

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Wants to Design For the Stage

Name: Kimberly Neptune       
 

Age: 17

Major: Fashion Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012
 

Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman
 

Tell us a little about yourself. I am a senior at Edison High School and obsessed with anything creative, artistic, and different. I have always been in love with costumes, musicals, and everything historical. When it comes to music, I love everything from musicals to country to oldies and pop punk.

I'm inspired by nautical, natural, vintage, and weddings! I am an extreme Christmas enthusiast and I love anything having to do with fall and winter. I am also obsessed with things that have nothing to do with fashion, like Harry Potter, hiking and camping, and baking! I have a huge love for Renaissance, Victorian, and 18th century fashion.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Besides being accepted to FIDM, my proudest accomplishment is helping with my school production of Guys & Dolls. I was able to help with props, makeup, and accessories. Another thing I am very proud of is my natural ability for American Sign Language. This is something i am also very passionate about and love to do.
I am also very proud of my personal authenticity. I am unique and I am who I am.

What made FIDM right for you? Compared to other schools, FIDM comes out as high as it can on top. It has classes that are so interesting to me that I couldn't take anywhere else, and are only there to help me succeed. FIDM also has phenomenal connections and networks. The people who work on the Advisory Board and the teachers would just be an honor to work under. FIDM is an extremely well known and respected school, and it is the perfect place to jumpstart my education and career. 
 

Describe your entrance project.
 For my entrance project, I created an inspiration page -- six sketches with fabric swatches. My inspiration page was mostly Broadway and musicals. They ranged from Book Of Mormon, to Anything Goes to My Fair Lady. It also had movie costumes from the 1700s and historical pieces. The six sketches I did ranged from circus ring leaders with a gothic cabaret twist to French royalty during the revolution to a 1960s evening gown. This was such a fun experience for me, because it is what I love to do. It didn't seem like a college project at all, just a fun activity!

What are your career goals? After graduation from FIDM I really hope to get right into the world of theatrical costume design. I want to work on any shows I can, local or not. After gaining experience and getting my name through the business, it would be my ultimate goal to have my designs for one or more musicals to grace the stage of Broadway. I would love to be able to travel and design for awhile and then hopefully settle down, start a family and be able to design from home!

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? At FIDM, I am excited to learn the ins and outs of the fashion and costuming world. Classes like History of Costume are perfect for me and I am eager to learn! I hope to get the necessarily sewing, pattern making, and draping skills to help me. I am most excited about meeting with the teachers and the internships to really kick start my future!